Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
Sci Rep. 2022 Jul 1;12(1):11117. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15226-2.
The primary somatosensory (S1) cortex is a central structure in motor performance. However, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) research aimed at improving motor performance usually targets the primary motor cortex (M1). Recently, sex was found to mediate tDCS response. Thus, we investigated whether tDCS with an anodal electrode placed over S1 improves motor performance and sensation perception in men versus women. Forty-five participants randomly received 15-min high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) at 1 mA to S1, M1, or sham stimulation. Reaching performance was tested before and immediately following stimulation. Two-point orientation discrimination (TPOD) of fingers and proprioception of a reaching movement were also tested. Although motor performance did not differ between groups, reaching reaction time improved in the M1 group men. Reaching movement time and endpoint error improved in women and men, respectively. Correct trials percentage for TPOD task was higher in the S1 compared to the M1 group in the posttest and improved only in the S1 group. Reaching movement time for the proprioception task improved, overall, and endpoint error did not change. Despite the reciprocal connections between S1 and M1, effects of active tDCS over S1 and M1 may specifically influence sensation perception and motor performance, respectively. Also, sex may mediate effects of HD-tDCS on motor performance.
初级躯体感觉（S1）皮层是运动表现的中枢结构。然而，旨在提高运动表现的经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）研究通常针对初级运动皮层（M1）。最近，发现性别介导 tDCS 反应。因此，我们研究了将阳极电极置于 S1 上的 tDCS 是否可以改善男性和女性的运动表现和感觉感知。45 名参与者随机接受 15 分钟的高清晰度 tDCS（HD-tDCS）至 S1、M1 或假刺激。在刺激前和刺激后立即测试达到性能。还测试了手指的两点定位辨别（TPOD）和到达运动的本体感觉。尽管运动表现没有在组间差异，但 M1 组男性的到达反应时间有所改善。到达运动时间和终点误差分别在女性和男性中改善。TPOD 任务的正确试验百分比在后测中在 S1 组中高于 M1 组，并且仅在 S1 组中改善。总体而言，本体感觉任务的到达运动时间提高，而终点误差没有变化。尽管 S1 和 M1 之间存在相互连接，但 S1 和 M1 上的主动 tDCS 的影响可能分别特别影响感觉感知和运动表现。此外，性别可能介导 HD-tDCS 对运动表现的影响。
